New Car/Review

Toyota Highlander (2001)

by Carey Russ

"Sometimes you feel like a truck, and sometimes you
don't," according to Toyota Division senior vice president and
general manager Don Esmond. If you do, and the truck in question
is a mid-sized SUV, Toyota has the 4Runner. If you don't, but still
like the convenient size, versatility, and style of a mid-sized SUV,
Toyota has the new Highlander.

In common with many new vehicles, the Highlander looks
like a traditional sport-utility vehicle, with a sculpted two-box body
and reasonably high ground clearance. And, like an increasing
number of new SUV-look vehicles, it has a car-like unit-
construction chassis, fully-independent suspension, and comes in
front- or all-wheel drive form. Engines are a 2.4-liter four-cylinder
or a 3.0-liter V6, both dual overhead cam, four-valve-per-cylinder
designs with Toyota's "VVT-i" variable valve timing system.

Will the Highlander steal sales from the 4Runner? Not
likely. Although similar in size, the two are very different in intent
and market. The 4Runner is unapologetically a truck through and
through, with body-on-frame construction and a heavy-duty
suspension designed for serious off-road use. The Highlander is
basically a car, with a strong dose of Toyota Camry in its ancestry.
It could be considered a Camry wagon for the 21st century,
although it is slightly larger in wheelbase, length, and width, and
nearly ten inches higher. Nearly all interior measurements are
noticeably greater than the Camry, but the Highlander still is
conveniently-sized for its natural habitat, urban parking lots and
suburban shopping centers.

I've just spent a week with a V6 all-wheel drive Highlander
in that habitat, after driving several other versions earlier in the
year. It's very well-adapted to any common vehicular habitat. It
combines all of the comfort and refinement expected of a premium
Toyota sedan with the style, interior space, and versatility of a mid-
sized SUV.

APPEARANCE: The Highlander attracts plenty of attention, from
all kinds of people. In the manner of its smaller sibling, the RAV4,
the Highlander's styling is much less conservative than previous
Toyotas, with angular fender blisters, a large rectangular body-
colored grille, prominent multi-element headlights, and car-like
integrated, body-colored bumpers and a protective side strip. Like
the RAV4, the Highlander's passenger cabin tapers slightly for
improved aerodynamics. Huge wraparound taillights increase
visibility from the rear. In their proportions compared to the body,
the wheels and tires say "car" more than truck.

COMFORT: Standard interior trim is synthetic velour with manual
seats, but my test Highlander was fully-equipped with perforated
leather upholstery and a host of upgrades included in the "Limited"
trim level package. The result is a near-Lexus level of comfort and
luxury. The Highlander has the high seating position and good
visibility that make SUVs popular, but because there is no separate
frame under the floor, the floor height is lower for easier access.
The fully-reclining front seats are very comfortable, and can be used
for camping. The split rear bench folds easily, giving a flat load area
without having to remove the headrests. A flat floor adds room and
comfort. The twin-pod instrument panel, with the shift lever
projecting from a lower extension, is similar to those of the
Highlander's cousins, the Toyota Sienna minivan and Lexus RX300
SUV. Although there is no central console, storage areas in all four
doors, and dual bottle holders in the rear doors ensure more than
adequate storage and convenience.

ROADABILITY: From behind the wheel, the Highlander feels like
a car, not a truck. This isn't surprising, as it has a car's rigid unit-
construction chassis and independent strut-type suspension on all
four wheels. Body roll when cornering is controlled well - although
it is considerably higher than a sedan, it never feels high or tippy.
Ride comfort is comparable to a Camry, high praise indeed. Front-
and all-wheel drive versions feel nearly identical, as there is no
perceptible torque steer even in the front-drive configuration. With
6.9 inches in FWD and 7.3 as AWD, there is more clearance than a
sedan or minivan, but the Highlander is not really meant for serious
off-road duty. Improved dirt and gravel roads are no problem, just
keep the relative low (for 4x4 use) clearance in mind.

PERFORMANCE: I haven't had the opportunity to try a four-
cylinder Highlander, but the V6 leaves little to be desired from its
3.0-liter engine. With 220 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 222 lb-ft of
torque at 4400 rpm, and VVT-i variable valve timing to spread the
useful power over a wide rpm range, it is well-matched to the four-
speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission. In front- or
all-wheel drive trim, the drivetrain is as smooth, refined, and quiet
as expected from Toyota, and gas mileage, at around 19 mpg in
mostly city driving, is better than most mid-sized SUVs. A 3500-lb
towing capacity (3000 for the four-cylinder) allows towing of
motorcycles, snowmobiles, or small boats.

The following titles and media identifications are trademarks
owned by The Auto Channel, LLC and have been in continuous use
since 1987: The Auto Channel, Auto Channel and TACH all have
been in continuous use world wide since 1987, in Print, TV,
Radio, Home Video, Newsletters, On-line, and other interactive
media; all rights are reserved and infringement will be acted
upon with force.